Catherine King is backing calls for the City of Ballarat to review parking changes that could stop residents attending a senior citizens club. The federal member for Ballarat confirmed she has written to the council about the issue. Under the council's new parking system, which began this week, members at the club can now no longer use free parking permits near their building on Little Bridge Street. Members have said they might have to stop attending the club due to the increased costs. The club's president Geoff Pitt told The Courier on Friday the changes could cost him an extra $90 a week. In a statement, Ms King said: "Ballarat City Senior Citizens are a key part of our community. They run community events and provide over 5,000 subsidised meals each year to a diverse and vulnerable group within our community." "The City of Ballarat needs to urgently reassure all members of the club that these changes won't stop them from attending meals, events or excursions. "If they can't do that the changes should be scrapped." Central ward councillor Mark Harris also described requests from members as "reasonable". He said: "I have a lot of sympathy for them. I will certainly bring it up in portfolio [meetings] so watch this space." In a response to The Courier, the City of Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor said the two hours' free parking in the adjoining car park gave members "significant flexibility", and that disabled car parking rights would continue. "The system is intended to accommodate all users rather than provide exclusivity to individual businesses and members of clubs," he said. He added that council acknowledged the new arrangements placed pressures on "different groups who hold sessions and activities throughout the day." "This is a more equitable system that will allow cars to move around our city." Parking spaces previously dedicated to the club have now been removed, while an five extra disability parking spaces have been worked in under the new system. The club's vice president John Scannell said he was worried about the costs for people parking to go on excursions, as well as those visiting for community lunches and one of the centre's activities. Many of those attending community singing, indoor bowls and line dancing would not have disabled badges and would have to foot extra parking costs, he said. He estimated there were 15 people every day who would fall into this category. Mr Scannell also told The Courier that members were considering putting forward their case at the next council meeting.

Calls for seniors citizens' parking rights grow louder

NEW SYSTEM: One of the freshly installed meters in the council's Smarter Parking initiative, which has not been welcomed by all.

Catherine King is backing calls for the City of Ballarat to review parking changes that could stop residents attending a senior citizens club.

The federal member for Ballarat confirmed she has written to the council about the issue.

Under the council's new parking system, which began this week, members at the club can now no longer use free parking permits near their building on Little Bridge Street.

Members have said they might have to stop attending the club due to the increased costs. The club's president Geoff Pitt told The Courier on Friday the changes could cost him an extra $90 a week.

The City of Ballarat needs to urgently reassure all members of the club that these changes won't stop them from attending meals, events or excursions. If they can't do that the changes should be scrapped.

Catherine King, Federal member for Ballarat

In a statement, Ms King said: "Ballarat City Senior Citizens are a key part of our community. They run community events and provide over 5,000 subsidised meals each year to a diverse and vulnerable group within our community."

"The City of Ballarat needs to urgently reassure all members of the club that these changes won't stop them from attending meals, events or excursions.

"If they can't do that the changes should be scrapped."

President Geoff Pitt, vice-president John Scannell and Mary Letcher of the Ballarat City Senior Citizens Club. Picture: Kate Healy.

Central ward councillor Mark Harris also described requests from members as "reasonable". He said: "I have a lot of sympathy for them. I will certainly bring it up in portfolio [meetings] so watch this space."

The system is intended to accommodate all users rather than provide exclusivity to individual businesses and members of clubs

City of Ballarat mayor, Ben Taylor

In a response to The Courier, the City of Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor said the two hours' free parking in the adjoining car park gave members "significant flexibility", and that disabled car parking rights would continue.

"The system is intended to accommodate all users rather than provide exclusivity to individual businesses and members of clubs," he said.

He added that council acknowledged the new arrangements placed pressures on "different groups who hold sessions and activities throughout the day."

"This is a more equitable system that will allow cars to move around our city."

Parking spaces previously dedicated to the club have now been removed, while an five extra disability parking spaces have been worked in under the new system.

The club's vice president John Scannell said he was worried about the costs for people parking to go on excursions, as well as those visiting for community lunches and one of the centre's activities.

Many of those attending community singing, indoor bowls and line dancing would not have disabled badges and would have to foot extra parking costs, he said.

He estimated there were 15 people every day who would fall into this category.

Mr Scannell also told The Courier that members were considering putting forward their case at the next council meeting.